The concept of God imputing righteousness without works is a profound theological principle found in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. This doctrine emphasizes the grace of God in the justification of sinners, highlighting that righteousness is credited to believers not on the basis of their works, but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for this doctrine is found in Romans 4:5-8 , where Paul writes: "However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. And David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.'"

This passage draws from the Old Testament, specifically Psalm 32:1-2, where King David expresses the joy and blessedness of those whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are not counted against them. Paul uses this reference to illustrate that the principle of righteousness by faith is not a new concept but is rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Theological Significance

The imputation of righteousness without works is central to the doctrine of justification by faith. It underscores the belief that human efforts and adherence to the law are insufficient for achieving righteousness before God. Instead, it is through faith in the redemptive work of Christ that believers are justified. This is further supported by Ephesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

Faith and Grace

The blessedness of those to whom God imputes righteousness is intrinsically linked to the concepts of faith and grace. Faith is the means by which individuals receive the righteousness of Christ, and grace is the unmerited favor of God that makes this possible. Romans 3:22-24 states: "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Implications for Believers

For believers, the imputation of righteousness without works provides assurance of salvation and a foundation for a life of gratitude and service. It liberates them from the burden of trying to earn God's favor through their own efforts and encourages a reliance on the sufficiency of Christ's atoning sacrifice. This understanding fosters a deep sense of humility and dependence on God's grace, as articulated in Galatians 2:16 : "Know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ."

Conclusion

The blessedness of those to whom God imputes righteousness without works is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the boundless grace of God. It is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine that continues to inspire and guide believers in their spiritual journey.Romans 4:6-9
Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, to whom God imputes righteousness without works,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Its Basis
... Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not ... of the two things: God imputing
"righteousness" and God ... The two are never divided: unto whom God imputes not sin ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/4 its basis.htm

Justification
... All the persons in the blessed Trinity have a hand in ... sanctify them, he would justify
a people whom he could ... their first love, they may lose God's favour for a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 justification.htm

Its Objects
... To what does he attribute his acceptance with God? To an inherent, or to an imputed
righteousness? ... Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/7 its objects.htm

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
... you give it than that God imputes righteousness by faith? ... of the man unto whom God
imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of justification by.htm

The Righteousness of Faith
... made with man, particularly by those Jews of whom the Apostle ... all the nations of
the world be blessed." (Gen.12 ... to man assisted by the Spirit of God:) This were ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 6 the righteousness of.htm

Method and Arrangement, or Subject of the Whole Work.
... of God, which leads to a blessed immortality; and ... this tabernacle to the heavenly
inheritance, where God will be ... out of himself in Christ, to whom being united ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/method and arrangement or subject.htm

The Beginning of Justification. In what Sense Progressive.
... sentiment he quotes the words of David, "Blessed is he ... themselves with this idea
will never satisfy God, who cannot ... But all to whom he imputes sin are enemies ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 the beginning of.htm

The New Covenant.
... bondage," cites the words of the Psalmist, "Blessed is he ... from dead works to serve
the living God?""Hebrews 9 ... infer that he is a Hellenist, to whom the matter ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

Confessio Belgica.
... he delivers and preserves from this perdition all whom he, in ... [439] of the blessed
Virgin Mary ... to be the happiness of man, that God imputes righteousness to him ...
/.../schaff/the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/confessio belgica.htm

An Examination of the Treatise of William Perkins Concerning the ...
... so much in sin, as in sinners, of whom some advance ... sin; but that of believers is
rendered more blessed by the ... Hence it is that the faith of God is not made ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/an examination of the treatise.htm

What does it mean to be blessed? | GotQuestions.org

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Blessed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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